The Star claims that the 32-year-old - who missed the side's previous game against Birmingham - will miss the clash at home to Brentford on Saturday as he is being given time to recover from a groin injury. And Carvalhal explained that having played through the pain barrier over the past few weeks, Loovens will now get the chance to rest instead of facing the Bees.

"Glenn has played in the last few weeks with an injury," he told the Star. "We needed him to play because we didn't have another centre-half at that moment.

"Now, because we have recovered some players, it's the time for him to recover 100 per cent. I don't believe he will be out for a long time."

The 25-year-old managed to play the full 90 minutes against Birmingham, despite having spent the previous two months on the sidelines with injury. And while he made a mistake in the build-up to the Blues' goal, Carvalhal may be willing to suggest that the mistake was simply down to a lack of match sharpness.

He appears to have also taken confidence from the form of Vincent Sasso in recent weeks. The Frenchman has featured in every game since the turn of the year, and has helped the side remain unbeaten in the Championship during that run.